Access to PhD programmes takes place through a competitive selection process
The selection includes an assessment of qualifications and an oral interview. The entire process is managed to ensure transparency , impartiality and publicity.
Who is eligible for a PhD programme?
- Holders of an Italian master's degree (laurea magistrale, laurea specialistica or laurea vecchio ordinamento)
- Holders of a suitable foreign academic qualification. The qualification must grant access to a PhD programme according to the education system of the country where it was obtained
- Italian Lauree specialistiche (LS) equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees:
- Italian Lauree Magistrali (LM):
- LMG/01 Giurisprudenza
- LM-1 Antropologia culturale ed etnologia
- LM-14 Filologia moderna
- LM-15 Filologia, letterature e storia dell'antichità
- LM-43 Metodologie informatiche per le discipline umanistiche
- LM-52 Relazioni internazionali
- LM/DS Scienze della difesa e della sicurezza
- LM-62 Scienze della politica
- LM-63 Scienze delle pubbliche amministrazioni
- LM-64 Scienze delle religioni
- LM-78 Scienze filosofiche
- LM-81 Scienze per la cooperazione allo sviluppo
- LM-84 Scienze storiche
- LM-87 Servizio sociale e politiche sociali
- LM-90 Studi europei
- LM-85 bis Scienze della formazione primaria
- Italian Lauree equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees (awarded under the old system):
- 1/S Antropologia culturale ed etnologia
- 15/S Filologia e letterature dell’antichità
- 16/S Filologia moderna
- 17/S Filosofia e storia della scienza
- 18/S Filosofia teoretica, morale, politica ed estetica
- 22/S Giurisprudenza
- 40/S Lingua e cultura italiana
- 49/S Metodi per la ricerca empirica nelle scienze sociali
- 57/S Programmazione e gestione delle politiche e dei servizi sociali
- 60/S Relazioni internazionali
- 70/S Scienze della politica
- 71/S Scienze delle pubbliche amministrazioni
- 72/S Scienze delle religioni
- 88/S Scienze per la cooperazione allo sviluppo
- 94/S Storia contemporanea
- 96/S Storia della filosofia
- 97/S Storia medievale
- 98/S Storia moderna
- 99/S Studi europei
- 102/S Teoria e tecniche della normazione e dell'informazione giuridica
- Italian Lauree equivalent to the above‑listed LM degrees (awarded under the old system)
- Equivalent degree obtained abroad (eg Master of Science)
- By 31 October 2026
- Registration for the selection: 22/04/2026 – 25/05/2026
- Payment of the application fee*: 25/05/2026
- Publication of admission to the tests: by 12/06/2026
- Interview: 22/06/2026
- Publication of ranking lists: by 15/07/2026
- Pre-enrolment of successful candidates: available after publication of the ranking list
- Achievement of the entry qualification: 31/10/2026
- Start of the programme: 01/11/2026
* Applicants from low-income countries included in this list are exempt from paying the registration fee.
The selection process includes an initial evaluation of qualifications such as the curriculum vitae, university exams taken, etc. Some qualifications are mandatory, while others are optional, and together they contribute to the overall score. Candidates who achieve the minimum score for eligibility pass this first stage and are admitted to the interview.
The interview is conducted exclusively in person. If there are positions or scholarships related to specific research topics, the Board of Examiners will assess the candidate's competence in relation to these topics. English language proficiency will also be tested as part of the interview.
At the end of the process, achieving the minimum required score allows the candidate to be included in the final shortlist of eligible candidates.
Note: The commission makes a preliminary assessment of the equivalence of the foreign degree with the Italian degree required for participation in the selection
The results of the tests and the final shortlist will be published on the page Ranking and Enrolment.
- Examination committee
Full members:
- Luca Ballerini - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Gian Paolo Dolso - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Giulia Milo - Researcher - University of Trieste
- Roberta Nunin - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Fabio Spitaleri - Full Professor - University of Trieste
Alternate members:
- Stefano Amadeo - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Massimo Bianca - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Maria Dolores Ferrara - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Paolo Ferretti - Full Professor - University of Trieste
- Alessandra Frassinetti - Full Professor - University of Trieste
Online application procedure
- Log in to the Online Student Service (Esse3) using your SPID (Public ID system). No SPID? Register as usual.
- Follow the guided procedure and, when prompted, upload:
- CV
- ID document
- The forms available at the bottom of this page
- Certificates or any other document, as specified in the attachment to the Call
Read the tutorial to easily complete the application procedure.
The summary of the procedures described on this website does not replace the Call for applications and the specific attachment for the PhD selection, and that must be read and fully understood in every part. Entering the competition implies full acceptance of the Call.
Forms for the selection